Australian teen missing in bush for six days rescued alive

Live updates

1. 26m ago

   Australian teen found alive after six days lost in Victorian bushland

   A 17-year-old boy named William has been found alive after spending six days missing in dense bushland about 180 kilometres east of Melbourne. He disappeared last Friday during a camping trip with a friend, wearing only shorts and boots. A police helicopter crew spotted him near a creek before rescuers winched him to safety. He survived by rationing a single packet of chips, drinking water, wrapping himself in blankets, and singing to maintain morale. His mother joked he is now "grounded for life."

   Why it matters

   The rescue ended a large-scale search operation that involved police, SES volunteers, and aircraft across difficult terrain in Victoria's high country. Overnight temperatures dropped near freezing, raising serious concerns for a teenager without adequate clothing or shelter. William has autism, which his mother said made the ordeal her "worst nightmare" and may have influenced how he responded to the environment and rescuers.

   What is confirmed

   • A 17-year-old boy named William went missing last Friday during a camping trip in bushland roughly 180 km east of Melbourne, Victoria.
   • He was wearing only shorts and boots when he disappeared.
   • A police helicopter crew spotted him near a creek before rescuers winched him to safety on Thursday.
   • He survived six days by rationing one packet of chips, drinking water, using blankets for warmth, and singing to stay calm.
   • His mother said he is "grounded for life" following the ordeal.

   Still unconfirmed

   • William has autism, which may have affected his behaviour while lost and during the rescue.

   What to watch next

   • Medical evaluation results and any long-term health effects from exposure
   • Official police or SES debrief on search tactics and lessons learned
   • Whether William or his family give a detailed public interview about the experience
   Sources used for this update (16)

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   4. nilepost.co.ug — Gov’t Warns of Growing Disease Burden, Calls for Increased Health Spending
   5. BBC — Australian teen missing in bush for six days rescued alive
   6. ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation — Joyful mum says teen found after six days missing in bush is 'grounded for life'
   7. The Guardian — Australian teen who went missing in bushland wearing only shorts and boots found alive after six days
   8. The Hill — A missing teen found alive after 6 days in Australian woodlands
   9. The Age — ‘He’s grounded for life’: Teen survives six days in bush on chips and water
   10. People.com — 17-Year-Old Boy with Autism Goes Missing on Camping Trip, Mom Says She’s Living Her ‘Worst Nightmare’
   11. www.yahoo.com — Teen vanished into the wilderness for 6 days in Australia. Then rescuers spotted something
   12. www.yahoo.com — 17-year-old survives six days alone in Australian bushland by rationing food and keeping warm
   confidence 92%